Management implications of the movement of children from township to suburban schools

Abstract:

Education in South Africa is in a process of transformation. The opening of public schools to all races has resulted in the exodus of learners from townships to suburban schools. Parents have transferred their children because of, among other reasons, lack of culture of learning and teaching, lack of quality teaching, lack of resources, and violence in township schools. The movement of learners from townships to suburban schools has necessitated a new management technique that will accommodate the unique characteristics of learners from diverse cultural, linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds. Head masters and educators need to develop an approach that will lead to eh transformation of the total school environment, and the creation of equal educational opportunities for learners who have for a long time been deprived quality education. Headmasters and educators need to be aware that education provided by the state of African learners is not of equal standard to white education. Therefore tolerance, empathy and understanding of the problems these learners bring with them is essential. They need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge in managing learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. They require cultural literacy and sensitivity which can be acquired through in-service training. To provide all learners with an equal opportunity to achieve in the classroom, multicultural education should be practised. Diversity of culture must be acknowledged, and teaching methods ought to be altered to accommodate the different kinds of learning styles and children with different learning needs. As Bernstein in Blackledge and Hunt (1985:56) highlighted that there are numerous changes that are occurring in education, the curriculum is one of the areas where change is inevitable. The curriculum in suburban schools was designed for a monocultural societ, but now it has to be changes to one which reflects the multicultural nature of the school. Curriculum 2005 developed by the Education Department under the leadership of professor Sibusiso Bengu seem to be the ultimate curriculum since it is based on equality, open access and democratic participation. If property implemeted it will promote and address the question of multilingualism, low performance and racism in suburban schools.